HEALTH chiefs at Nuneaton's George Eliot Hospital warn that strict visiting times will remain as it fights a bug which has struck patients and staff.

Last week, the Telegraph reported that three wards at the hospital had been affected by the norovirus, which causes sickness and diarrhoea.

Two wards, Felix and Melly, were closed to new admissions and a bay at the emergency medical unit was also forced to shut.

Ten patients showed symptoms of the bug along with three relatives and six staff members.

Two more cases of the virus in patients have been confirmed since Sunday. Five more staff have reported symptoms. In an attempt to restrict the outbreak, hospital bosses imposed a temporary restriction on visiting times to just one hour a day, between 7pm and 8pm.

Children are also being asked to stay away.

A hospital spokeswoman yesterday confirmed this would remain in force until the outbreak was contained and she urged visitors to heed the advice.

She said: "The trust has decided to maintain its restricted visiting time to one hour, between 7pm and 8pm to minimise the opportunity of the virus being brought into the hospital while it remains in the community and to minimise the risk of it spreading within the hospital.

"The good news is there have only been two further confirmed cases of norovirus in patients since April 8."

One of the wards has been reopened following what is described as "deep cleaning".

Dr Peter Handslip, medical director for the hospital trust, has stressed the importance of people heeding the advice.

He said: "Norovirus is a common bug which usually passes within 48 hours.

"However, it is highly contagious, and... the more people entering the hospital, the greater the chance of the bug spreading.

"It is also essential that those visiting follow strict hand-washing guidance by washing their hands before and after contact with patients."